Unlock the Best iOS Features You Might Not Know

If you think you know every iPhone shortcut, think again. Apple hides a bunch of tricks that can speed up daily tasks, save battery, and rescue a frozen device. Below we break down the most useful hidden iOS features, the recovery modes that can pull your phone out of a jam, and simple battery hacks you can start using today.

Hidden iOS Tricks You Can Use Today

First up, the quick actions that don’t need a third‑party app. Swipe down from the top‑right corner to open Control Center, then press and hold the Wi‑Fi icon to toggle AirDrop, Wi‑Fi, or Bluetooth instantly. Long‑press the back of the screen (Back Tap) in Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Back Tap to assign a double‑tap that launches the Camera or takes a screenshot.

Another favorite is the hidden #️⃣ shortcut for instant notes. Open Safari, type notes:// in the address bar, and hit go – a new note pops up ready for you to type. You can also create custom Shortcuts that combine several actions, like texting your location to a friend with a single tap.

iOS Recovery Modes When Things Go Wrong

When your iPhone refuses to boot, iOS offers several recovery modes. The most common is Recovery Mode: connect your iPhone to a computer, press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, and hold the Side button until the iTunes/Finder screen appears. This lets you reinstall iOS without wiping data, if you choose ‘Update’ instead of ‘Restore’.

For deeper issues, there’s DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode. It bypasses the bootloader entirely, allowing a clean firmware flash. To enter DFU, connect to a computer, quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down, hold the Side button for 10 seconds, release it, then keep holding Volume Down for another 5 seconds. The screen stays black, indicating DFU is active.

Lastly, the Safe Mode shortcut (hold the Volume Up button while rebooting) disables all third‑party tweaks, useful if a jailbreak caused crashes. These modes give you control when the usual settings menu can’t help.

Now that you know how to get out of a sticky situation, let’s talk about keeping that battery humming all day.

Simple iPhone Battery Hacks

Turn off Background App Refresh for apps you rarely use: Settings → General → Background App Refresh. This alone can shave off several percent of drain per hour. Also, enable Low Power Mode when you’re below 20% – it reduces visual effects and limits background activity.

Another trick is to set Auto‑Lock to the shortest time you’re comfortable with (30 seconds works for many). The screen is the biggest power hog, so a quick lock saves juice. If you charge overnight, use Optimized Battery Charging (Settings → Battery → Battery Health) to stop the battery from staying at 100% for too long.

Lastly, keep an eye on the battery usage chart to spot apps that sip power without you noticing. Tap an app in Settings → Battery, and if it shows high background activity, consider limiting its permissions or reinstalling it.

Mixing these hidden tricks, recovery tools, and battery tips will make your iPhone feel faster, stay alive longer, and give you confidence when something goes wrong. Try a few today – you’ll notice the difference right away.